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Re: OK. Vintage Glee Club by Regal or Gold-Tone TG-10?

I was also making enquiries a year or so ago about Gold Tones - in my case the TG18, which is probably basically the same design with better wood. I was put off by reports that it tends to be quiet due to it's design, which some might feel to be flawed. In hindsight, volume is not everything, and if the tone really is gold, then it might be a worthy choice. Not an expert, but I've found that for GDAE you'll need a pretty heavy bass string to get a better sound down there with less floppiness.

Re: Need advice on whether to buy Gold-Tone TG-10 or Kala KA-GTR?

When you buy a $ 200.oo instrument, you don't think about value ten years out.
In another thread you said that you purchased a Regal tenor from the 20's and will receive it soon. I owned one of those a while back and enjoyed it. It had a short scale length and sounded very sweet, a lovely tone. However I had to replace the friction tuners with geared banjo tuners to keep it in tune. I hope this works out for you.

Re: Need advice on whether to buy Gold-Tone TG-10 or Kala KA-GTR?

I played a $400 Gold-Tone TG-10 at a guitar store. I also played a $1500 vintage Martin tenor they had there.
The Gold-Tone neck was a few hairs wider than the Martin which was nice because the outer strings were right on the edge and slipped off a few times.
The Gold Tone was a little larger and definitely louder with a very pleasant sound over the full range.
I thought it a very well made instrument.

Re: Need advice on whether to buy Gold-Tone TG-10 or Kala KA-GTR?

Originally Posted by Fire

I played a $400 Gold-Tone TG-10 at a guitar store. I also played a $1500 vintage Martin tenor they had there.
The Gold-Tone neck was a few hairs wider than the Martin which was nice because the outer strings were right on the edge and slipped off a few times.
The Gold Tone was a little larger and definitely louder with a very pleasant sound over the full range.
I thought it a very well made instrument.

Re: Need advice on whether to buy Gold-Tone TG-10 or Kala KA-GTR?

I have picked up the goldtone in music stores too, they seem well made and sound really good but they still seemed subdued and over braced, just like the other commercially available tenors.
I have only ever come across one vintage Martin and although it felt really cool to have it in my hands, I really did not think it was any better sounding than my Blueridge!

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Re: Need advice on whether to buy Gold-Tone TG-10 or Kala KA-GTR?

Yeah. Me owning the vintage martin would be like me driving my kids to school in a classic car.

When I look online the Blueridge costs more than the gold-tone.
From what I gather they are comparable.

I bought the Regal tenor and I need to get it repaired. Luckily I found a guy who will do so for about $100, cracks, bridge and nut. $60 more for Gotoh uke tuners. So, I'll be into that for $350. That one will get played less than the gold-tone.

Re: Need advice on whether to buy Gold-Tone TG-10 or Kala KA-GTR?

Well the blueridge is pretty much a replica of a T18 Martin & like all blueridge guitars, are very well made.
In the UK they are pretty expensive but I was lead to believe they can be had for much less in the States.
Anyway your little Regal will serve you well & the short scale makes them less sensitive to CGDA tuning.

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Re: Need advice on whether to buy Gold-Tone TG-10 or Kala KA-GTR?

I had a 1930s Martin 0-18T. Sounded and played very nice. But the neck was starting to bow a bit (no truss rod and had light enough strings on it as it was), frets were getting worn, pickguard was curling, etc. I decided to sell it to someone willing to put the money and time into taking care of it.

I bought a Blueridge tenor and it's not bad. It has developed a seam crack, but sounds fine. If I played tenor as much as I used to, I'd by something a bit nicer. But, I mostly play 6 string, mandolin, mandola, bass and don't have extra playing time, or money for that matter, to own a nice tenor.

The one you saw on their website is not the one I played. They have two other martins. One is $1400 and the other I didn't ask.
But either one of those is too rich for my blood.

I actually bought a Gold-Tone TG-10 from Facebook marketplace delivered with nice hard/plush case for $110.
A woman who lived about 3 hours from here was asking $150.
So, I'm pretty stoked.
I'll still get the Regal fixed up. Jake Wildwood in Vermont. I'll probably ship that out in the spring when it gets a little warmer.

Re: Need advice on whether to buy Gold-Tone TG-10 or Kala KA-GTR?

I actually bought a Gold-Tone TG-10 from Facebook marketplace delivered with nice hard/plush case for $110.
A woman who lived about 3 hours from here was asking $150.
So, I'm pretty stoked.

Wow you were lucky then!
At that price you could maybe justify some luthier work on it?
There are a few pretty easy mods that will open up the sound & increase the volume but I doubt any luthier would guarantee the work thereafter & any guarantee that might exist from the manufacture would be void also.
However, it is not that difficult for a man with the right tools to scallop the soundboard bracing & reduce the thickness of the finish on the soundboard.
I have done this to dozens of six string guitars and a few Blueridge tenors, the effect may not be dramatic but can be quite noticeable.
My own BR40 has been treated to the mods & I use it to judge every tenor guitar I make. Nothing leaves my shed unless it can beat the Blueridge....